9 September 2026
Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) supports the proposed Duty of Care legislation designed to protect people from social media harms, with targeted protections for eating disorders.
This legislation would hold social media companies to account for their responsibility to proactively prevent and reduce harm, rather than burdening individuals to play a losing game with addictive algorithms designed to keep us scrolling.
Regulation should carefully distinguish content that supports awareness and recovery, rather than amplifying harmful content.
“For people trying to manage more balanced use of these addictive platforms, the bombardment of suggested content and paid advertising removes any sense of choice,” said EDV CEO Paul Bird.
“We know that eating disorders involve obsessive behaviours. Social media algorithms that actively cultivate this can cause serious distress and harm.
“Companies must be required to identify when their algorithms are repeatedly directing people towards content about weight loss, body dissatisfaction, restrictive eating, excessive exercise or eating disorders.”
At the same time, social media can provide valuable connection, peer support, recovery information and information about health services.
As eating disorders are characterised by isolation, government should be careful to avoid ‘blanket regulation’ that unintentionally suppresses vital help-seeking pathways.
Earlier this week, Eating Disorders Victoria released a report on the increasing prevalence and complexity of eating disorders, noting the role of social media.
-ENDS-
EDV CEO Paul Bird is available for interview.
About Eating Disorders Victoria
Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) is the state’s leading community health provider of free eating disorder care. We work for empowered and safe relationships with food, eating, body and movement for everyone.
Contact
Media: Rebecca More, Senior Account Manager
[email protected] | 0406 877 763
General enquiries: Katia Pellicciotta – Senior Manager Communications, Advocacy & Fundraising